Sunday, March 29, 2009

So many things, you guys. I've been battling it out at work -- who doesn't -- and as a result I have only been watching the news, not adding my two bits to all the bits that keep getting added. Ah, english. I love you.

Ok, so first things first. Varun Gandhi: seriously? I understand the guy is desperate to get elected his first time, probably by a landslide to impress his party, but seriously, really? It was his mothers constituency, and like every other young, educated person, he could have talked about development, but no. Pandering to the worst in people. Like I told someone, maybe he wanted to win badly, but is this really the way? And what is even worse is that people admire him for his speech. Reports say he can become a star BJP campaigner (if Modi is too busy, call Varun for some fireworks) and many people believe he was right to stand up for the Hindus. Man, India really is the land of contradictions. Does our majority constantly need validation? It boggles the mind. My take on it is this: I do think the speech is real, but of course, it is yet to be proven. I don't think his being a "Gandhi" is anything. What I think is sad is that he is a living example as to why professionals need to enter politics. When you've had the responsibility of running a company, holding a job, being part of an organisation; other people matter. You will, hopefully, not go shooting off your mouth in order to get votes. Anyway slowly but surely, politics is changing in India, I feel. These idiots are getting exposed for their empty rhetoric faster.

Ok, story two. IPL: Elections are bigger, so that is that. Now, if the IPL clashed with the elections and they decided that rather than cancel it, they wanted to move out the entire tournament, so be it. Yes, this will hurt India's image because not many people will look at all the details and just say that, well the government of India said it could not provide security. Yes, it will hurt our economy, as many people were banking on the IPL to make money, including hotels. But shit happens. We need to elect a government, and next year IPL can try and make up for lost time. The only thought I keep having is that what if they like holding the IPL in other countries and shift it country-to-country every year?! That would be something!

Elections: Post-poll, pre-poll. This year the election cycle is starting off pretty boring as far as I'm concerned, despite Rajdeep's attempts at making every single statement sound controversial every single night. Are smaller parties claiming their space by rejecting big parties, is the Third Front truly viable? We won't know till they try and form a government now, will we? The only sad thing is that this is all truly a numbers game. Like a lot of commentators say, this elections and the government that is formed will be built on numbers, not ideas. The trust vote was a teaser, post-election barter will be shockingly corrupt. I think it might be the peak of open corruption. After this, it will just have to go down. Who knows? But, maybe.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

So, as I'd said, I've been busy trying to produce videos for the Indian Express website.I know the quality could be better, and I think my VO is too slow... but I am doing all the work myself... except for the occasional cameraperson, I am functioning as a one-woman-army..

Have a look, give me some feedback..

Rich man's world: There is nothing underground about the black economy.The War Room: L.K. Advani's campaign proves that technology can be a great motivator.Midtown in Mumbai: The residents of Dharavi are sceptical about the intent of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.Sun Burnt: Urbanisation has yet again been at the cost of the farmers, a visit to Hyderabad reveals.Road to Change: Young people finding exciting business opportunities in being environmentalists.Out with the trash: “Disposable” points out that ragpickers perform an essential environmental duty, yet are denied a place in society.